[NPB Today’s Highlights] In the game against Lotte at Escon, the “invincible” Nippon-Ham Kato Takashi will make his first appearance of the season. Will they be able to win their first series of the season? | Pacific League

[NPB Highlights Today] In Escon’s game against Lotte, the “invincible” Nippon-Ham Kato Takashi will make his first appearance of the season. Will they be able to win their first series of the season?

Sports Hochi

April 2, 2026 12:00

☆ Nippon-Ham vs. Lotte (18:00, ES CON FIELD) Nippon-Ham: Takashi Kato, Lotte: Nishino

Nippon-Ham, managed by Tsuyoshi Shinjo, suffered three straight losses in their opening series against Softbank Hawks. In their second series against the Lotte no hitter, they secured their first win on March 31 thanks to a no-hitter by Hosono, but lost 2-4 on April 1, bringing their record to 1 win and 1 loss.

Nippon-Ham starting pitcher for the third game, which will determine the series winner, Takashi Kato has the most wins against Lotte with 21 victories. He has shown exceptional strength against Lotte at home, with seven consecutive wins. Furthermore, at ES CON FIELD, the venue for the game on the 2nd, he boasts an undefeated record of 6 wins in 6 games since his first shutout game victory against them at the stadium on May 13, 2023.

◇Takashi Kato (Nippon-Ham) at ES CON FIELD against Lotte

Year/Month/Day Wins/Losses Innings Pitched Hits hit runs

23.5.13 ○ 9 innings, 4 hit, 0 runs

8.15 ○ 5 2/3 innings pitched, 6 hit, 3 runs

April 21, 2024 ○ 9 innings, 9 hit, 0 runs

5.11 ○ 7 innings, 3 hit, 0 runs

8.15 ○ 8 innings, 8 hit, 1 runs

April 26, 2025 ○ 7 innings, 5 hit, 1 runs

He has two shutout game under his belt, and he has an excellent track record at Escon. He wants to shut down the Lotte lineup as he has done before and bring his team their first winning record of the season.

(Other cards)

☆ Chunichi vs. The Giants (18:00, Vantelin Dome) Chunichi = Ohno, The Giants = Norimoto

☆ Yakult vs. Hiroshima (18:00, Jingu Stadium) Yakult = Okugawa, Hiroshima = Okamoto

☆ Hanshin Tigers vs. DeNA (18:00, Kyocera Dome Osaka) Hanshin Tigers = Ihara, DeNA = Takeda

☆ Rakuten Eagles vs. Softbank Hawks (13:00, Rakuten Eagles Mobile) Rakuten Eagles = Urena, Softbank Hawks = Otsu

☆ Seibu Lions vs. Orix Buffaloes (13:00, Belluna Dome) Seibu Lions = Sugai, Orix Buffaloes = Miyagi

※ Match card (start time, stadium) and starting pitcher order